Oct 08, 2007
Crested Butte, CO - October 8, 2007 - Crested Butte Academy, the highly regarded winter/mountain sport and high elevation training and education program, is pleased to announce the completion of their new 8000 square foot skate park.
Crested Butte Academy is well into the 2007/2008 season, and exciting developments at the new slopeside Elevation Hotel location in Mt. Crested Butte highlight the positive changes taking place at CBA following its recent relationship with IMG Academies and Sunvest Communities.
Academy students have been ripping and training on the recently completed 8000 square foot skate park adjacent to the Elevation Hotel and Spa. Designed by CBA Freestyle Director Bud Keene, the park serves CBA's expert to beginner skaters and in-line skaters alike.
"We're here to train skiers and snowboarders for success on
the snow," says Keene.
He adds, "That being said, we didn't just want a skate park, we wanted to design a skate-based training facility that would be in keeping with our mission, while at the same time being fun. I think we nailed it."
CBA athletes get on their skates at least 4 times a week during training, and Keene says it's not just for the Freestylers.
"All of our athletes are out there utilizing the park; every single one. Even the ski racers and those who have not skated before. We're not trying to convert anyone; we're just promoting superior balance, dynamic movement, overcoming fears, and building confidence. We're empowering people, and empowered people can become champions."
In addition to challenging themselves on the concrete, all athletes have been putting in a lot of time on the trampolines, practicing the acrobatic maneuvers that they will later take to the snow. Though it is obvious that the freestyle skiers and snowboarders benefit from this type of training, Keene says the same thing applies to all CBA winter sports athletes.
Keene adds, "Air awareness, being comfortable in the air, and knowing where you are at any given moment is something that is important whether you are hitting a jump, launching out of the pipe, barreling down a boarder or skier-cross course, or arcing a high-speed turn. It's all power-in-the-bank, and these kids are working hard and storing it up."
For information about the Crested Butte Academy Athletic Programs, please contact Sue Bambling at 970-401-1813 or by email at sbambling@cbacademy.org.
For information about the Crested Butte Academy, please contact Graham Frey at 970-445-7685 or by email at gfrey@cbacademy.org.
About Crested Butte Academy
Crested Butte Academy is a fully accredited, college preparatory boarding and day school located in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. It is committed to educating the whole person in a safe and caring environment. Standards are high and classes are small, emphasizing individual attention. Flexible academic schedules enable students to excel in academics as well as train for and compete in the highest levels of alpine racing, free ride skiing, snowboarding, and high altitude running. Crested Butte Academy is accredited by the Association of Colorado Independent School (ACIS), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and is a member of the Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA).
More information about CBA is available at www.crestedbutteacademy.org.